Indonesian Ambassador Participated in the Commemoration of the 51st Zanzibar Revolution Day

1/14/2015

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Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Zakaria Anshar, together with other head of diplomatic missions and international organizations, attended the 51th anniversary of Zanzibar Revolution Day in Amann Stadion, Zanzibar, Monday (12/1). Join in the celebration, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, as the guest of honor.

In his remarks, President of Zanzibar, Ali Mohamed Shein declared free primary education that effective this year. Shein said the move is part of Zanzibar first president, Abeid Amani Karume.

“As from 2015/2016 which starts in July, there will not be any contribution from parents to finance their children primary education in public schools. Government will cover all education costs,” he said.

President Shein also mentioned the efforts taken by the government of Zanzibar to rehabilitate the clove industry through a ten year plan which is already being implemented.

Zanzibar’s main incomes are from spices and tourism. It is called the Spice Island, a term also associated with the Maluku islands of Indonesia. For many years, Zanzibar was one of the leading producer of cloves in the world, but nowadays there is a steep decline in the annual production levels. However, Zanzibar cloves are still in great demand for its strong aroma, as well as large and intact flower buds. In fact, Indonesia’s import of cloves from Zanzibar began in the 1930s, and reached the peak in the 1980s.

Revolution Day in Zanzibar is celebrated each year to commemorate the end of 200 years of Arab dominance in Zanzibar. In December 1963, Zanzibar gained independence from England. A month later, on January 12, 1964, a revolution by local African overthrew the Sultan of Zanzibar. Through the revolution, Abeid Karume became the country’s first President and head of state. Karume succeeded in negotiating a merger of Zanzibar with Tanganyika to form the new nation of Tanzania.